A home-cooked meal beats any boring canteen purchase or shop-buy every time. Nutrition aside, eating out every day is an expensive habit. There are plenty of cool lunchboxes in all shapes and sizes available these days so there’s really no excuse for not packing a healthy, tasty lunch to bring to school or to work. Whether you […]

10 years ago

An Australia mum was shocked to discover that her son’s school picture had been photoshopped to remove his “gappy grin” without her permission. Ange Pickett revealed in a blog post that her eight-year-old son’s adorable smile had been photoshopped to replace his missing teeth. As the mum-of-two rightly points out “surely we have lost the plot when we […]

10 years ago

A new international study has found that engaging with young children while reading books to them gives their brain a cognitive boost. While reading to children has many benefits, simply speaking the words aloud may not be enough to improve cognitive development in preschoolers, according to a new international study, published in the journal PLOS ONE. Researchers […]

10 years ago

Highly respected consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Dr Peter Boylan, who resigned from the executive board of the National Maternity Hospital in the row over ownership and governance, says it’s now time to end religious teaching in schools. Dr Boylan, the former Master of the National Maternity Hospital who has delivered over six thousand babies in his time, hit the […]

10 years ago

Having a baby is a wonderful thing – a few lows, but plenty of highs… and certainly (in the best possible ways) your life will never be the same again. If you’re pregnant, you might be considering breastfeeding too – and that decision can throw a spanner into the works. Because many mothers find the […]

10 years ago

Welcome to week 30 of your pregnancy! This week, your baby is as big as a cabbage. Here’s what else you can expect this week. You baby At 30 weeks, your baby is about 40 centimetres long and weighs around 1.4 kilograms. Those tiny fingernails are fully formed, and their brain is getting wrinkly – […]

10 years ago

Brought to you by Lidl Flavoursome meat with plenty of spuds – men are fairly basic creatures when it comes to food. A home-cooked Sunday roast is a sure-fire route to Dad’s heart and it’s the perfect way to mark Father’s Day. You can’t go wrong with a chicken; cut slits on the breast and […]

10 years ago

Brought to you by Lidl Don’t wait for clear blue skies for your back garden barbeque, ‘cos it may never happen. As long as it’s not pouring rain, the weather shouldn’t put a damper on your outdoor cooking. Nothing tastes better than flamed-grilled grub and the little ones love it just as much as we […]

10 years ago

The bacteria in a child’s gut appears to be influenced as early as its first year by their ethnicity and breastfeeding, according to new research emerging from Canada. The study, recently published in Genome Medicine, analysed stool samples from 173 white caucasian and 182 South Asian one-year-olds recruited from two birth cohort studies (CHILD and START), which are […]

10 years ago

Many women see the big four zero as their last chance saloon when it comes to baby-making. Regardless of the reasons for postponing pregnancy until later in life, the fact remains that the chances of getting pregnant at 40 years of age or over are significantly lower. After 45, the possibility of conception is greatly reduced […]

10 years ago

New research has shown that the negative impacts of smoking during pregnancy can last well into children’s future. Prenatal exposure to cigarette smoke is already known to have many negative short-term impacts including premature birth, low birth weight and subsequent behavioural problems. Now, findings from a new study have shown that exposure to as few […]

10 years ago

The trials and tribulations of being a woman, eh? The latest research from Women’s Health says that chances are you could be wearing the entirely wrong size bra. Ladies who reach for a 34B and 36C cup bra, we’re looking at you. Apparently, it’s pretty easy to assume you’re this size, as most people begin […]

10 years ago

Exposure to psychological abuse between parents is more damaging to children’s wellbeing than domestic violence. New research, carried out at University of Limerick, has shown that growing up in a home with psychological abuse has more long-term effects on the wellbeing of children than domestic violence. A scientific paper by Catherine Naughton, Aisling O’Donnell and Orla […]

10 years ago

Once purely the domain of American mommies-to-be, the baby shower now has its feet firmly under the Irish (delivery) table. Baby showers give expectant mamas the opportunity to share a relaxed and enjoyable day with their female friends and rellies before baba arrives. If you have an upcoming shower penciled into the diary, you’ll be […]

10 years ago

“December 3, 2016 is a day that will be forever etched in our hearts,” explains a heartbroken Laurena Meagher, who is grieving for her husband Kevin Fogarty. “What was meant to be a fun-filled family break ended in devastation, as our whole world was turned upside down with the sudden death of Kevin,” she adds. […]

10 years ago

So, last December I had a birthday. I turned. Oh God I can’t say it. Ugh, okay… I turned thirty-five. I had such a bad reaction to my birthday that everyone kept asking me if it was ‘the big one?’. Eh no! Now feck off. People always think I’m older. I can’t figure out if […]

10 years ago

Brought to you by Cadbury Dairy Milk Buttons. OK, we’re gonna officially announce that summer is finally HERE! We know Irish weather is notoriously unreliable, but don’t let that stop you from having a ball with the family this weekend. If you’re clever you can sneak in a bit of cultural education disguised as entertainment; […]

10 years ago

Brought to you by Cadbury Dairy Milk Buttons OK, we’re gonna officially announce that summer is finally HERE! Here comes the summer! We’ve got some ideas on how to keep the whole family amused this weekend, so you have loads of choice close to home or further afield. Hop in the car; pack some tasty […]

10 years ago

Welcome to week 29 of your pregnancy! This week, your baby is as big as a butternut squash. Here’s what else you can expect this week. Your baby At 29 weeks, your baby is approximately 38 centimetres long and weighs about 1.2 kilograms. The little one is developing more fat under the skin, making those […]

10 years ago

There once existed a time, before helicopter parenting, when the best that we could ask for was to just raise a good kid. Good kids are the parental Holy Grail. But, just like Indiana Jones, we can spend a lot of time searching. In between times, we all worry that our parenting is going horribly, […]

10 years ago

With my youngest child – and only girl – set for Junior Infants in September, I’m practically giddy at the thought of purchasing a pinafore. Sad, I know, but the thoughts of finally getting to dress Her Ladyship in her little socks, skirt, and cardigan, is highly appealing to me despite the fact that her […]

10 years ago

Do you know the difference between a cougar and a panther? No, I’m not asking you to brush up on your David Attenborough impression. Cougars, panthers, and MILFS are all popular labels for women of a certain age who attract younger men. Labels that some wear with pride, but others would prefer to see disappear […]

10 years ago

Podcasts are the new television. Entertainment in handy instalments, we love ’em as we can dip in and out (when we have time) and binge-listen while we mamma-multi-task. If you’re not up to date, or wondering what all the hype is about, fear not we’re here to help with our pick of the best… 1. My […]

10 years ago

Having a baby can really stretch your finances… and we all know that little surprises can sometimes come at the worst times. Nappies, formula, accessories, buggies, and childcare can soon take a big chunk out of your paycheque – so much so that it can be a struggle to make ends meet. However, in our […]

10 years ago

Last week was glorious, but looking outside over the past number of days, it’s certainly been less so. With summer holidays on the horizon, we’ve lately been considering the possibility that we’ll need to entertain cabin-fever children when it’s raining out (and no, sticking an iPad into their hands doesn’t count). Yes, if the dreaded […]

10 years ago

When it comes to looking after children, we all want to do what’s best for them. But sometimes, it can be hard to address certain topics with your  kids. For example, how do you talk to your child about obesity and weight-loss in a healthy way? How do you encourage them to be happy within […]

10 years ago

Keep rubbing that bump mamas-to-be! Ultrasound research has shown that babas recognise their mother’s touch while they are still in the womb. Researchers from the University of Dundee’s Psychology department have used 4D ultrasound videos to record how babies in utero react to different people touching their mum’s tummy. Their heartwarming findings revealed that babies were most likely […]

10 years ago

New Irish research has shown that the body mass index (BMI) of a child’s mother may influence teachers’ perceptions of the academic ability of that child. Research carried out by a team from NUI Galway and Queens University Belfast has found evidence that parental obesity influences teachers’ perceptions of a child’s academic ability. The study showed […]

10 years ago

Who knew 2017 would turn out to be the best retro telly year ever? Hands up who is LOVING the return of early 90s television? This month saw Twin Peaks back where it belongs, on our screens. It is over 25 years since Agent Cooper first started investigating the murder of homecoming queen Laura Palmer, but Kyle MacLachlan and […]

10 years ago

There is only one person whose nutrition matters in your house right now, and that’s the baby. Breast or bottle, feeding takes centre stage. You’re lucky to get anything into you at all, which makes for some fairly weird meal choices. Here are some of the tried and tested quickies for hungry mamas. A stalwart […]

10 years ago

It turns out that respecting our elders could be bad for us… A surprising new report, published in the British Medical Journal, has shown that having an older doctor can be harmful to your health. In fact, it can be terminal. Although many of us believe that age brings wisdom and experience, researchers from Harvard […]

10 years ago

Welcome to week 28 of your pregnancy! This week, your baby is as big as a pineapple. Here’s what else you can expect this week. Your baby As the third trimester begins your baby is now around 38 centimetres long and weighing approximately 1 kilogram. Their eyelids can open, and your little one is beginning […]

10 years ago

There’ll come a day when your kids would rather eat bees than to be seen in public with you. Shocking, we know, but seemingly true. So should you be in possession of a child aged under 12, be sure to hug them extra close… because soon enough physical contact from their parents will be decidedly […]

10 years ago

Eating too much sugar at any point in your life isn’t good for you but it seems that you really need to watch your intake when you are pregnant. According to Science Daily, a study has found that consuming large amounts of fructose during pregnancy could have an impact on your kids and future generations. […]

10 years ago

The grownup gap year is the new mid-life crisis and I want one. Standby for a first-world whinge… I was a young wife and a young mum and I missed out on the whole backpacking thing. Now mid-thirties, I’m desperately trying to figure out how to get my gap year back. Of course, the answer […]

10 years ago

They are the most precious package you will ever have to mind. And that comes with a huge amount of responsibility and quite a few bumps and bruises along the way. From bumped heads, scraped knees and the odd whack to the back of the head from a sibling, as my children got older, my […]

10 years ago

Reading to your baby lets you SIT DOWN for a minute. Oh yes, and it’s also very good for them. Functional MRI studies show reading does wonders for a child’s learning ability; language development and understanding. Read early and often – here’s your HerFamily guide to getting started: Snuggle up together when you read. Babies […]

10 years ago

Some mums and dads are now so exhausted by modern parenting that the term ‘burnout’ is being used by psychologists. Parental Burnout – depression linked to being a parent – is a taboo phenomenon that is now being spoken and written about more and more. According to the journal Frontiers of Psychology, almost 13 percent of mums […]

10 years ago

Teens will rarely use the word ‘depressed’ to describe negative emotions, but other expressions of teen angst can be a signal of more serious, pre-depressive symptoms. New research, funded by the National Institutes of Mental Health in the US, has revealed that teenagers are more likely to use terms such as ‘stressed’ or ‘down’. The findings, presented […]

10 years ago

Good news for all you bookclubbers (well, maybe for the ones who aren’t just there for the wine), as it turns out being a bookworm makes you more attractive. Research by the online matchmakers eHarmony has revealed that being an avid reader ups your appeal with the opposite sex. However, it’s better news for the men […]

10 years ago

Thirty per cent of teenagers regularly ‘sext’ and send nude photographs through email and text, an American study has revealed. Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch found that half of teenagers have been asked to send a nude photograph to another while over a third have requested a naked picture to be sent to […]

10 years ago

People who were smacked during their childhood are more likely to develop mental health issues during adulthood according to a study carried out by Canadian researchers. The study, which was released on Monday, is the first of its kind to analyse the long-term psychological impact that physical discipline can have on a person. Children who […]

10 years ago

She was lovely and fair as the rose of the summer, yet ’twas not her beauty alone that won me. Oh no, ’twas the truth in her eyes ever dawning, that made me love Mary, the Rose of Tralee… You see it wasn’t just her beauty at all, at all. It was the truth in […]

10 years ago

In these dark times and fear-filled days we live in, it can be hard to reconcile the decision to bring children into the world. As parents, we are often overwhelmed with advice on how to help our children to be their very best, how to help them succeed academically, and how not to mess up […]

10 years ago

“Be quiet and effective, actions speak louder than words and results speak for themselves. Be a runner, don’t talk about being one.” This is a quote from one of the most motivating (yet realistic) books I’ve ever handed over money for: Run Fat Bitch Run by Ruth Field. I bought it a few years back, because at […]

10 years ago

And the most dedicated award goes to… Orangutang mamas. Researchers have found that orangutans breastfeed their young for even longer than was previously believed. It turns out that these supermums use their milk cyclically to keep breastfeeding for eight years, or even longer in some instances. These animals are naturally reclusive in the wild and their […]

10 years ago

Now there’s another reason to tell your man to get off the couch. At this stage, we all know exercise is good for you and that physical activity helps to keep your heart heathy, your mind sharp, and your bones strong. Exercise has also been shown to be as effective as anti-depressants for some mood […]

10 years ago

Jordan Catalano. Peak 90s… Peak. Let’s face it ladies, life was all downhill from here. My-So-Called Life pretty much was my life. Not in the sense that it was similar to my life in any way, shape, or form (although I wished it was), but as in my life revolved around it. I over-identified with Angela […]

10 years ago

Mobile phones are an intrinsic part of modern life, to the point that the fear of being out of cellular contact now even has its own name ‘nomophobia’. Most of us are in no rush to put down our smartphones for even a day, so imagine how much of a challenge a nine month detox […]

10 years ago

A new style of family creation that sees couples ‘adopt’ embryos and, after the child is born, remain in contact with the donors is being hailed as the way forward for donor conception. Embryo Adoption Experts from the UK’s University of Liverpool and University of Huddersfield have been examining the policies of the ‘Snowflakes Embryo Adoption Programme’, […]

10 years ago